Here are the biggest takeaways from several key Rangers as they officially kicked off training camp in Tarrytown last week…
Here are the biggest takeaways from several key Rangers as they officially kicked off training camp in Tarrytown last week…
Lafreniere ready to turn things around
Alexis Lafreniere got off to an extremely fast start last season and the team rewarded him by handing him a big-money seven-year contract extension.
From there, though, things took a turn for the worst for the young winger.
Lafreniere’s production slowed down mightily and he ended up being one of the more disappointing Blueshirts down the stretch, finishing with just 17 goals and 28 assists while appearing in all 82 games.
With a new coach in town this year, he’s eager to get things turned back around.
“I want to have a big year,” Lafreniere said. “After last season I wasn’t really happy with the way I played, so I worked even harder on improving my game this summer and I’ll be ready to go for the start of the year.”
Lafreniere will see time on both wings in camp to see what combination works best.
Igor’s lofty expectations
The Rangers are coming off an extremely disappointing season.
They underperformed mightily and became just the second team in franchise history and the fourth in NHL history to miss the playoffs the year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Still, All-Star goalie Igor Shesterkin is setting big expectations for this year.
“Stanley Cup,” he said. “If you’re a professional athlete you need to reach the best always, that should be your goal.”
Shesterkin is coming off a down season in which he lost 34 of his 61 appearances and posted career-worst marks in both goals against average (2.86) and save percentage (.905).
For this team to achieve his lofty goal, they’ll need him to return to form.
Zibanejad grateful for offseason-visit from Sullivan
The new Rangers head man made it a point of taking time out of his offseason to fly over to Sweden to get to know Mika Zibanejad on a more personal level.
That was just the start of what the Rangers will be a great relationship between Sullivan and one of the team’s more important offensive pieces who is coming off a disappointing campaign.
“I think it meant a lot,” Zibanejad said. “Obviously not knowing him from the past, only playing against him and his team for the past nine to 10 years, but not knowing him on a personal-level, for him to come all the way to Sweden for the day was highly appreciative for me.”
During that visit, Zibanejad had the opportunity to tell Sullivan he enjoyed the chemistry he shared with new captain J.T. Miller during their time playing together last season, and they are expected to start the year on the same line.
Miller had 12 points and Zibanejad 11 in their 32 games on the ice together.
Rempe eager to keep building elements to his game
When Matt Rempe first broke into the league he was strictly viewed as an enforcer, but over the past two years he’s worked to improve his all-around game significantly.
The big-bodied fourth liner took numerous steps forward last season, establishing himself as a nightly contributor on the Rangers’ hard-hitting fourth line.
His average ice time (8:30) increased as he finished with three goals, five assists, and 117 hits.
Still, the 23-year-old isn’t satisfied with where is game is at -- he gained 12 lbs over the summer and worked out six days a week to improve his skating and continue building on his progress heading into this year.
“I’m excited,” Rempe said. “I worked real hard this summer, put on some weight and my skating has gotten a lot better as well, so I want to earn an opportunity and take that next step. I just have to keep working to get better everyday.”
Schneider feels ready for bigger role
The Rangers’ blueline will have a much different look this year after moving on from three of their regulars ahead of the deadline and this summer.
Suddenly, 24-year-old Braden Schneider becomes the second-longest tenured member of this revamped group.
It remains to be seen how exactly the new coaching staff will shape things up come Opening Night, but Schneider is expected to take on a larger role this year.
The youngster underwent surgery this offseason to repair a torn labrum he’s played through the past two seasons, and he’s expected to be ready to roll for the start of the season despite being limited early in camp.
Schneider was already able to shed his non-contact practice jersey late last week.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing where I can take my game and what I can do and what our group can do,” he said. “I’m happy I’m fully healthy for it and I’m excited for the chance to show what i can do, and to take the reins on what I think I can be.”
Schneider’s contract with the club expires at seasons end.
Category: General Sports
